Fort Smith AR vs Lansing MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Lansing
5.3%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 112,546 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 10.1% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 56.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 12.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Fort Smith +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Fort Smith +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Fort Smith +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Fort Smith +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $52,170 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $29,894 | Fort Smith + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 471 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Fort Smith +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 39.9% | Fort Smith + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Smith +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fort Smith + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Lansing
21.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 21.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Smith leads in median household income at $52,692, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Fort Smith has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fort Smith has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Smith scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.0%.
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